Cinchona basalis is a species of a plant native to South America. The spelling of this word can be explained by using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "cincho" is pronounced as /ˈsɪŋkəʊ/. The second part, "na" is pronounced as /nə/. The third syllable "ba" is pronounced as /ˈbeɪ/. The fourth syllable "sa" is pronounced as /ˈsɑː/. The fifth and final syllable "lis" is pronounced as /ˈliːs/. Knowing the phonetic transcription can help with the accurate pronunciation of this word in conversation.
Cinchona basalis, commonly known as Basal Bark Cinchona, is a species of flowering evergreen tree belonging to the Rubiaceae family. This tree is native to the South American Andes region, particularly Peru and Ecuador.
The Basal Bark Cinchona typically grows to a height of around 5 to 10 meters, with a sturdy trunk and spreading branches. It has glossy, lance-shaped leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs along the branches. The tree produces fragrant, tubular, white to pale pink flowers that bloom in clusters. The blooms are followed by pear-shaped capsules containing numerous small seeds.
One of the notable features of Cinchona basalis is its bark, which is highly valued for its medicinal properties. The bark contains several alkaloids, including quinine, quinidine, and cinchonine, which are known for their antimalarial properties. These alkaloids have been traditionally used to treat and prevent malaria, making the Basal Bark Cinchona a significant source of raw material for the production of antimalarial drugs.
Due to its economic and medicinal importance, Cinchona basalis is cultivated in various tropical regions worldwide, including India, Indonesia, and Africa. Its presence in botanical gardens and plantations has contributed to the conservation of this species.
In conclusion, Cinchona basalis is a flowering evergreen tree native to the Andes, known for its medicinal bark rich in alkaloids used to combat malaria. It plays a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry and is cultivated in different regions across the globe.
• The first discovered species, official in the U.S.P., but seldom yielding the stipulated amount of alkaloids.
• A hybrid between C. officinalis and C. succirubra, very rich in quinine and a common source of the red bark.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Cinchona" is derived from the surname of the Countess of Chinchon, Ana de Osorio, who was the wife of the Spanish viceroy in Peru during the 17th century. She was instrumental in popularizing the use of the bark of the Cinchona tree, which contains quinine, for the treatment of malaria.
The word "basalis" is an adjective form of the Latin word "basis", which means "base" or "foundation". In the context of "Cinchona basalis", it likely refers to the foundational or base species of the Cinchona genus.